Accounting… Is It For You?

Presented by:

Author of Presentation

What is Accounting?• A business language• A set of rules to record business transactions

in a consistent manner• The basis of business operations• Constantly changing

What Are CPAs?• CPAs are Leaders• CPAs are Advisors• CPAs are Educators• CPAs are Managers• CPAs are Respected People in your

Community

Professional Services vs. Private Industry

• Professional Services Work for several different companies Provide audit, tax and consulting services Travel Top position is typically a partner in a firm

• Private Industry Work for one company or organization Travel varies Top positions consist of Controllers, Chief Financial Officers and

Presidents

Professional Services• Large Professional Services Firms (“Big Four”)

Deloitte & Touche Ernst & Young KPMG PricewaterhouseCoopers

• Regional Professional Services Firms BDO USA Grant Thornton Baker Tilly

• Career Path Audit, tax & business consulting Service lines within each Levels of advancement

What Do “Private Industry” Include?• Manufacturing• Retail• Insurance & Banking• Healthcare• Not-for-Profit• Government & Schools• Individuals• Information Technology

Topics of Discussion• My personal CPA experience• Unique occupations• Traditional roles• Growth opportunities• Salary compensation• Requirements

Why Did I Choose Accounting?• Very challenging• People-oriented profession• Highly respected profession• Flexibility• High demand for accountants• Financial rewards• Job satisfaction• Desire to understand and resolve business issues

My Personal Experience• Related jobs• Fun• Growth• Challenges• Why I am a CPA

Career OptionsPizza eating. Whale watching. Punk rocking.

Whatever your interest, you can turn it into a career in accounting.

• Entertainment: Have the itch to work in Hollywood?

• Technology: If you live on the cutting edge

• Sports: Behind every sports team, network and event are the accountants and CPAs making it happen.

• Government: Seriously, what does our country do with all that money?

• Nonprofit & Education: The world needs more do-gooding accountants and CPAs.

• Criminal Investigation: Were you born to bust bad guys?

• Environment: Even the business world has room for the eco-friendly.

• Travel: Are your bags are always packed for your next destination?

• Food & Fashion: Love to eat, shop and be merry?

Careers in Government• Securities and Exchange Compliance• FBI• Government Auditing• Country Tax Assessor• Sales and Use Tax• Parks and Recreation• State and Local Government

Technology Careers• Software Consulting• E-Business• Developing and Testing Systems• Change Management• Security of Systems• Maintaining Accounting Systems• Project Management

Other Unique Careers• Entertainment Accounting• International Accounting• United Nations Accounting• World Bank Accounting• Risk Management• Non-Profit (such as Red Cross)• Education

Traditional Roles• Auditing• Accounting and Consulting for Business• Tax Accounting, Preparation and Planning• Financial Planning• Payroll Tax Reporting• Sales Tax Reporting• Financial Reporting

Growth Opportunities• CPAs become the leaders of their companies• Many become the CFOs and CEOs of large and small

companies• They are trusted business advisors• Growth is possible to the top

Average Salaries for College Graduates

Employer Jr. Level (0 - 3 yrs.) Sr. Level (4 - 6 yrs.)Public Accounting (large firm) $48,750-$69,250 $66,750-$86,000

Public Accounting (medium firm) $42,500-$62,500 $59,250-$79,750

Public Accounting (small firm) $41,000-$56,000 $54,000-$69,750

Corporate Accounting (large co.) $38,000-$57,250 $55,750-$73,500

Corporate Accounting (medium co.) $35,750-$53,250 $50,750-$65,500

Corporate Accounting (small co.) $33,500-$49,000 $46,500-$58,750

** Keep in mind if you also have a CPA license, you’ll make 10-15% more when you start out. **

Upper-level Salaries For Managers in

Corporate AccountingPosition Large Co. Small to Medium Co.

Chief Financial Officer $183,250-$384,000 $94,250-$175,750

Corporate Controller $122,000-$180,000 $80,500-$134,750

Tax Manager $92,250-$130,250 $74,250-$100,250

**Geographic region, experience, education, CPA certification and company size each play a role in

determining salary**

CPAs are Needed EVERYWHERE!

Boston $55,250-$68,900New York $59,925-$74,730Miami $48,025-$59,890Chicago $52,275-$65,190Denver $43,560-$54,325San Diego $49,725-$62,000Dallas $44,625-$55,650

Here’s what you can expect to be paid where you live:

What Are the Requirements?

• Pass the CPA exam CPA Exam Book

• Complete Work experience/requirements• Continued Certified Professional Education

We Look for People Who Are…• Involved in activities• Professional • Good communication skills• Personable• Detail-oriented• Strong academically• Overall business awareness• Leaders

PICPA• A CPA license can open the door to unlimited career

opportunities. PICPA provides resources for high school and college students, recent grads, and educators on a variety of accounting topics that will help you discover what your next step will be.

• Resources & Tools

Questions?